Athletics News Release

Union takes first in Arkansas tourney, Barry, Waits top two individuals

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. - 4/10/2012 - The Union University men’s golf team earned a first place finish in the Natural State Golf Classic hosted by Harding University. Union junior and reigning TranSouth Golfer of the Year Brett Barry earned medalist honors, while fellow junior Ben Waits finished tied for second. The classic featured 10 teams and 67 golfers.

Union posted a two-round total of 577 (291-286), finishing +9 for the event. Union was seven shots better than second place Arkansas Tech with a 584. Union was one-shot off the lead after the first day, behind Harding’s 290 first round score. Harding finished in fourth place (592). Fellow TranSouth member Blue Mountain (Miss.) posted a third place finish (588).

Barry, a former Jackson Christian School standout, was one shot off the lead after his first round 72. However, Barry fired a tournament best 68 in his second round to finish as the only player under par at 2-under (140). Ben Waits was also one shot off the lead after the first round as he shot a 72. Waits then posted a 71 in the second round and finished in a four-way tie for second at 1-over (143).

Other Union golfers included Kyle Long in a tie for sixth place (72-71=144), Charlie Pittman in a tie for 13th (72-77=149), Steven Coffelt in a tie for 18th (74-76=150), Andrew Knight in a tie for 35th place (78-78=156), Jesper Swedenborg in a tie for 56th place (84-80=164), and Ryan Mantooth in 66th place (92-86=178).